In a method and apparatus for the electronic distribution of digitised
information on demand, remote and/or local mass data stores are used to
store digitised information for use in the generation of products such as
software media. Available products and related information can be
searched, browsed and requested at a local fulfilment unit; or requests
can be made remotely. The products generated and associated packaging,
certificates of authenticity, instruction manuals and licence numbers may
optionally include customer specific information, and customer given
personalisation. Additional security features include storing essential
parts of the digitised information remotely so that products can not be
generated using only locally stored information; and recording the
digitised information on the at least final segments of longer than
standard format CDs preventing complete copies onto CDs of standard
format.